Dental handpiece



C. C.. SEABORN.

DENTAL HANDPIECE.` APPLICATION FILED IuLY I5. I9zo.

vPatented May'31, 1921.'

c1' c. sEAo'RN.' DENTAL .HANnPlEcL i APPLICATION FILED JULYVIxQ'lfQi-mf"Patgnfa May- 31,1921,

snails-sneer a.'

ammiro@ intenso.

cHAiaLns c. sEABoRN, or PORTLAND, OREGON.

DENTAL HANDPIECE.

' Appiication inea Juiy i5. i920'.

State of Oregon, have invented certaininew.

and useful Improvements in Dental Handpieces, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to hand pieces for dental engines, and theprimary object .of this invention is to provide an improved hand piecewhich can be turned at any angle and automatically locked in adjustedposi tion against accidental displacement. l

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved dentalliandpiece embodyr ing a -pair of sections, the parts of the sectionsbeing so connected that the same can be turned at any angle so that thedrill, bur or the like can be positioned in various relations to thehandle section of the hand piece, means being provided for permittingthe drill bit, bur or the like, to be driven in all of its variouspositions.. .y

A further prime object ofthe invention is to provide an improved springmeans for automatically locking the sectiony of the hand piece carryingthe bit in any of its adjusted positions, so that accidental swingingmovement thereof will be eliminated, the spring means being so arrangedthat the locking ofv the bit carrying section is automatic.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved dentalhand piece including a novel means for holdingthev drill bit, burs andthe like in correc t posi4 tion on the hand piece so as to permit theVconvenient and easy removal thereof and to prevent the seeping of salivaor the like into the hand piece. ,Y

A still furtherobject of the invention is to provide an improved ,handpiece inclu'dl ing a novel means for. disconnecting and connecting ofthe driven shaft for the drill bit, bur and the like, from the driveshaft, when desired, thereby stopping the' rotation of the tool withoutnecessitating'the turning olf of the power.

A still further object of theinvention isv to provide an improved handpiece for deI i-` tal engines of the above character, which isJ ofexceptionally simple and durable construction, one that can be placedupon the market at a reasonable cost. Y

With these and other objects in view, the

specieation of Letterszratent. i Patented May 31, 1921 seriai No.396,386. i v -i invention consists in the novel construction,arrangement and formation of parts, as will lbe hereinafter morespecifically described,

claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which drawings: 4 ,v f

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the improved handpiece, showing the bit carrying section thereof in parallel relation to-the lhandle. portion thereof and also showing one adjusted position .ofthe ybit carrying section in dotted lines. Fig. Q is a similar viewshowing the bit carrying section in another of itsY adjusted 4positionsyand showing it in its fourth and final adjusted position in dottedlines. l Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through Athehand piece showing the novel type of spring employed for automaticallylocking the drill Abit carrying section of the hand piece in adjustedposition. y Fig. 4 is a similar view showingthe position of the drillbit carrying section when the same is in one of its adjusted positions.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the same in another adjusted position,Fig. @is a similar view showing the same in its fourth and finalposition, and v Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken atrightaiigles to Figo.

Referring to the drawings4 in detail, wherein similar referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throughout the several'views,the letter A ygenerally indicates the improved dental hand piece, whichasshown includes the sectionslO and 11.

The section 10 constitu-tes the part for v ina-tes sliding movement ofthe Adriven shaft in relation thereto. The outer.. end ofthe drivenshaft 13 carries thev cone shaped sleeve 16 and this sleeve is connectedto the shaft in such ak manner thatV the same will The collar 15engagesy ioovv freely rotate therewith. rljlhe opposite faces' Y of thesleeve arefprovided with longitudi-fk nal waysl for `the receptionv ofthe spring,v

arms 18 and the inner ends of the spring iio arms 18 are secured to thecone in any preferred manner against accidental displacement. Theforward or outer end of the spring arms 18 are provided with rightangular extensions 19 and these extensions 19 are adapted to t in anannular groove 2O formed in the shank 21 of the bur or drill bit. Thisprovision of the spring arms permits the easy insertion or withdrawal ofa bur or drill bit into or out of the hand piece. The meeting' terminalsof the drill bit or bur and the driven shaft 13 are provided withintertting shoulders, so that the movement of the driven shaft will betransmitted to the drill bit or bur. The handle section 11 of the dentalhand piece A is provided with a longitudinally extending bore 22 andthis' bore rotatably receives the drive shaft 23. The forward end of thebore 22 is enlarged as at 24 and rotatably receives the collar 25, whichis keyed or otherwise secured to the drive shaft Thus it 'limits themovement of the drive shaft in the bore. The outer end of the bore isalso enlarged as at 26 and in this enlarged end is fitted the bearing 27which rotatably carries the shaft section 23. rhis shaft section may beprovided with the ordinary or any preferred type of coupling forconnection with the usual flexible shaft of' .the dental engine (notshown). The meeting terminals of the drive shaft 23 and the shaftsection 28 are provided with squared terminals 29 and 30 respectivelyand the squared section 30 carries a rigid clutch section 31 which isadapted to be engaged by a sliding clutch section 32 mounted on thesquared end 29 of the drive shaft 23. This section is adapted to bemoved by an operating rod 33, the inner end of which is provided withafyolre 34 which lits in an annular groove formed in the sliding clutchsection. The outer end of the operating rod 33 is secured in anypreferred manner as at 35 to an annular ring 36 slidably mounted on thesection 11. The section 1.1 has its outer surface reduced to provide anabrupt shoulder 37 which limits the sliding movement of the annular ring3G thereof. If so desired, the friction stop may be provided for lockingthe annular ring in adjusted position. 1t can be seen that by slidingthe annular ring, the sliding clutch section 32 may be brought into orout of engagement with the shaft section 38 thereby cutting off theoperation of the drill bit or bur 31 when so desired withoutnecessitating the cutting off of the power of the dental engine. Anexpansion spring 38 is coiled around the squared portion 29 of the driveshaft23 and the terminals of this coil spring engage respectively theinner wall ofthe enlarged portion 26 of the bore 22 and against theinner face of the sliding clutch section 32 and normally tends to holdthe sliding clutch section 32 in engagement with the rigid clutchsection.

The meeting terminals of the sections 10 and 11 are providedrespectively with substantially semi-cylindrical casings 39 and 40. Thesemi-cylindrical casing 39 has a relatively smaller diameter than thesemi-cylindrical casing 4-0 and is adapted to be arranged within thesame as will be hereinafter more specifically described. These sections39 and 40 are further united by annular sections 41 and 42. Theseannular sections 41 and 42 are curved transversely to conform to thecurvature of the semi-spherical housings 39 and 40 and are arrangedbetween and intermediate the same. rllhese semi-spherical housings 39and 40 and the annular rings 41 and 42 are connected t0- gether at theiropposite sides by means of pivot pins 43. These sections or casings areadapted to snugly fit within one another so as to prevent the leakage ofoil or lubricant from within the same and to exclude all moisture suchas saliva and the like from the interior thereof. By the provision ofthe sections or casings 39 and 40 and the rings 41 and 42 the sections10 and 11 may be swung at any angle in relation to each other and still.present a closed casing intermediate the same. The inner ends of thedrive shaft 23 and the driven shaft 13 projects into the sphericalhousing formed by the casing or sections 39 and 40 and the rings 41 and42 and these portions of the shaft are formed polygonal shaped in crosssection and have slidably mounted thereon the gear wheels 44 and 45. Themeeting faces of these gear wheels 44 and 45 are formed convex andtoothed so that the same will be connected together for movement in alltheir various positions. The gears 44 and 45 are always held inintermeshing engagement by means of expansion springs 4G and 43 whichare coiled around the portions of the shafts which are formed polygonalshaped in cross section and these springs bear against the outer facesof the gear wheels 44 and 45 and against the inner faces of the collars15 and 25.

t can be seen that when the section 1() is moved at an angle in relationto the section 11 that the gears 44 and 45 will slide on theirrespective shafts, thus conforming to the shortening of the angle.

To hold the sections 10 and 11 in their various adjusted positionssubstantially semi-circular springs 49, 50 and 51 are provided. Asstated, these springs are semicircular shaped and are of the leaf springtype and their central portions are provided with lugs 52 which areriveted or otherwise secured to various parts of the spherical housing.As shown the spring 49 is secured to the ring 4 1fs the spring 50 to thering 42,

and the spring 51 to a semi-spherical casing or section 40.. When thesection 10 is in alinement with the section 11, all ofthe springs tendto hold the sections in correct position against accidentaldisplacement. Owing to the formation of the springs it can be seen thatthe opposite ends thereof will engage the inner faces of the sections42, 41 andA 39. The section or ring 42 is provided at the centralportions thereof with inwardly extending triangular shaped lugs 53 andthe free terminals of the spring 51 is provided with outwardly extendinglugs 54 which is adapted to engage at different times theoppositefacesof the triangularly extending lugs. When the section 10 is in itsalined position with the section 11, the lugs 54 will engage the upperfaces of the lugs 53 but when the hand piece 11 is turned at a slightangle the lugs 53 will force the terminals of the spring outwardly, andthev terminals will then engage the lower faces of the lugs. Thisposition is clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, and the movement ofthe section 42 is further limited by a stop lug 55, which is carried bythe inner surface of the semi-cylindrical casing or section 40. The ring41 has its inner face inclined toward the central portion thereof so asto provide inclined faces 56 and 57 and these faces are adapted to beengaged at di'erent times by the leaf spring 50 and it can be seen thatwhen it is desired to further increase the angle of the section 10 inrelation to the section 11 the spring 50 will be raised and the samewill engage the inclined faces 57 of the section and thus'tend to holdthe same in this position. The movement' of the section or ring 41 isfurther limited by means of a lug 58 which is carried by the inner faceof the ring or section 42. When it is desired to swing the section 10 atright anglesy toV the section 11 the same is swung still far ther downwhich will move the semi-spherical casing or section 39 on its pivot andthe same is held in its adjustedL position, as clearly shown in-Fig. 6of the drawings, by means of the spring 49. This spring 49 has itsterminals provided with a pair of angularly related bight portions 59and 60 and these portions are adapted to engage respectively the angularrelated edges formed by the inclined faces 61' of the casing or section39. The movement of this section or casing 39 is in turn limited bymeans of a lug 62 carried by the inner face of the ring or section 41.

It can thus be seen from the foregoing description that the section 10can be turned at various angles in relation to the section 11 and heldin any one of its adjusted positions and still permit of the driving ofthe drill bit or bearing.

As clearly Shore in the drawings, the

outer surface of the section 10 is provided with a hard rubber orsuitable sleeve 63 and the inner end of the sleeve is provided with anannular iiange 64 which is adapted to engage the drill bit or bur andact to wholly prevent theentrance of saliva into the housas the usualtype of universal joint or al spring coupling. v

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit orscope of this invention; but, i

I claim:

1. A dental hand piece comprising a pair of sections,means hingedlyconnecting the sections together including a plurality .of collapsibleleaves, a drive shaft carried by one'section, a driven shaft carried bythe other section, and means operatively connecting the shafts together.

2. A hand piece for dental engines comprising a handle section, and atool section, means hingedly connecting the sections together, includingaV plurality of leaves, means automatically holding the leaves invarious adjusted positions in relation to each other, and a drive and adriven shaft carried by the sections operatively 'connected to eachother.

3. A hand piece for dental engines comprising a handle section and atool section, means hingedly connecting the sections together so as topermit the same to swing in various angles in relation to each otherincluding a plurality of leaves, means automatically'locking'the leavesto hold the sections in their various-adjusted positions, rigid stopmembers arranged to limit the movement of the leaves in relation to eachother, a drive shaft 'carried by the handle section, a drivenshaftcarried by the tool section, and means operatively connecting theseysections together.

4.A hand piece for dental engines comprising a handle section and a toolreceiving section, a. knuckle joint connecting the seca `novelmeans forcontions together, said knuckle joint including a plurality of arcuatehingedly connected members, and locking springs arranged to engage thesections for holding the handle section and the tool section in adjustedpositions in relation to each other.

5. A dental hand piece comprising a han-y ing the handle section and thetool receiving section` in various adjusted positions in relation toeach other, and a drive and a driven shaft carried hy the sectionsconnected together forsynchronous movement.

6. A dental hand piece comprising a handle section and a tool receivingsection, a lrnuclrle joint connecting the two sections together, saidjoint including a plurality 0f hingedly connected leaves, the leavesforming an inclosed spherical casing, spring means for automaticallyholding the sections in adjusted positions in relation to each other, adrive shaft carried by the handle secgion, a driven shaft carried by thetool receiving section, the inner portions of said shafts extending intothe spherical casing formed by the hingedly connected leaves, saidportions of the shaftsheing formed polygonal shaped in cross section, apair of gear wheels slidahly mounted on the polygonal section of theshafts, the inner meeting faces of the gear wheels being convened, andspring means normally holding the gear wheels into intermcshingengagement.

7. A dental hand piece comprising a handle section and a tool receivingsection, the inner ends of the sections having substantiallysemi-spherical casings formed therein, a plurality of annular arcuatesections disposed intermediate the semi-spherical casing, means hingedlyconnecting the semispherical casing and the annular arcuately curvedsections together, a stop lug carried by the semi-spherical casingformed on the handle section arranged to limit the swinging movement ofone of the annular sections, stop lugs carried by the annular sectionsarranged to limit the swinging movement of one of the annular sections,and the semi-spherical casing carried by the tool receiving section,arcuately curved leaf springs carried by one of the semi-sphericalcasings and the annular sections arranged to engage the adjacent annularsections and one semi-spherical casing for normally holding the handleand the tool receiving sections against movement in all of their variousadjusted positions, and a drive and driven shaft carried by the handleand tool receiving sections operatively connected together.

8. A casing for dental hand pieces comprising a handle section and atool receiving section, the inner ends of the sections havingsubstantially semi-spherical casings formed thereon, a plurality ofannular transversely arcuately curved sections disposed intermediate thecasings, hingedly connecting the casings and the annular sectionstogether, the inner faces of the sections and one of the semi-sphericalcasings having the opposite sides thereof inclined, arcuate leaf springssecured to one of the semi-spherical casings and the annular section,the springs heing adapted to engage the opposite inclined faces of thesections and the semi-spherical casing to hold the handle section andthe tool receiving section in various adjusted position adjacent to eachother and limiting stop memhers carried by one of the semi-sphericalcasings and the annular sections.

9. A dental hand piece comprising a handle section and a tool receivingsection, a knuckle joint connecting the sections together, a driveshaft, a driven shaft, means operatively connecting the shafts together,the drive shaft being formed into two sections, and a sliding clutchmember arranged to connect and disconnect the sections of the driveshaft when so desired.

l0. A dental hand piece comprising a handle section and a tool receivingsection, a knuckle joint hingedly connecting the sections together,l adrive shaft, and a driven shaft, means operatively connecting the shaftstogether` a cone member carried by the driven shaft, a pair of springarms carried by the cone member, the spring arms having inwardlyextending feet arranged to engage a drill hit to hold the same againstdisplacement.

cuantas o.` snanoan.

